Altidore, Gonzalez added to US roster

Jozy Altidore and Omar Gonzalez have been added to the US National Team roster that will face Brazil on August 10.

Altidore, who plays striker for Spanish club Villarreal, will replace midfielder Jermaine Jones.

Jones had initially accepted US head coach Bob Bradley’s invitation, but declined later after discussing the call-up with his club, stating he didn’t think he would be fully fit for his national-team debut.

“While I initially felt like I was ready to make my first appearance, it is also extremely important to me that I am 100 percent fit for my first national-team game and that I make a good impression on the manager and my teammates,” said the FC Schalke player, who missed last season for his Bundesliga team with a leg fracture, in a prepared statement. “I hope to receive another invitation and finally fulfill my goal of playing with the US National Team in the very near future.”

One player that will have the chance to make his first appearance for the USMNT is Gonzalez. The LA Galaxy standout and 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year will replace Chad Marshall, who’s dealing with a sore knee, in the back line.

The rest of the US roster remains unchanged.

The Nats last played Brazil in the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup and lost a tough but entertaining game by a 3-2 score. Landon Donovan & Co. will look to exact revenge when they host the five-time World Champions in the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey.